Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has launched the re-excavation programme of the Ulashi ‘Zia Khal (canal)’ at Sharsha upazila.

He formally inaugurated the re-excavation programme by cutting soil with a spade at 11:55AM on Monday.

Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee and State Minister Forhad Hossain Azad, State Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit and State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam were present on the occasion.

On November 1, 1976, the then President Ziaur Rahman excavated a canal, about four kilometers long, from Ulashi to Jadunathpur, which is popularly known as ‘Zia Khal’.

This canal is now being re-excavated by the Bangladesh Water Development Board.

Earlier, the Prime Minister arrived at the venue around 11:42AM and unveiled the plaque of the re-excavation programme and offered “Munajat” there.

Meanwhile, centering the Prime Minister’s program, people from Sharsha and surrounding areas gathered along the canal side from early morning with eager anticipation to see the Prime Minister. They had roses and tuberose flowers in their hands. Their faces showed joy and excitement.

At that time, they repeatedly chanted slogans loudly welcoming the Prime Minister for his arrival at the spot.